Sunday Scripture

In the Easter Gospel, Mary of Magdala, Peter and John were stunned, confused, bewildered and perplexed when they found the tomb empty. Even though Christ had told them that He would rise from the dead, His words at that time were incomprehensible. The apostles had no previous experiences to which they could connect His words.

The revelation about His Resurrection is about to explode in their consciousness. John, the beloved disciple and the contemplative, is the first to comprehend. When he entered the tomb, "he saw and believed."

Holy Week is the greatest week of the liturgical year. Devotion to Christ's passion is essential for salvation. The paschal mystery describes the law of dying and rising that must direct our lives. The more deeply we enter into this paschal mystery, the more we will experience victory over sin. The more we enter into the love of Christ that powered Him through His passion, the more we move into a love that crowds out sin. That is the power of the cross of Christ.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent make it clear that the word of God will remain, but everything not in accord with His word must pass away.

The first reading gives us the Ten Commandments, which are foundational for the Old Testament Covenant. They spell out the basic behavior God expects from those who choose Him as their God. They give life if followed and point the way to destruction if not followed.

The commandments describe behavior that makes us righteous in the eyes of God -- godly behavior flowing directly from God Himself.

The Gospel for the 2nd Week of Lent features the Transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain in Palestine. However, we can't really understand the Transfiguration unless we understand the significance of obedience, in the first reading and the Gospel.